Hello,
This is not my first time here but I guess I just wanted to get my thoughts down. Also, I have found it difficult to find any posts similar to my situation.
In around November 2023, after a new tattoo I noticed a mole on my back. I kind of forgot about it and in December 2024 I started feeling a 'crawling'type feeling on my back on the same side as the mole. I got my son to touch the mole and that is exactly where the crawly feeling was. It also tingles and I've noticed that sometimes after eating I feel a tingling sensation, almost like I'm feeding something.
I went to the GP who said that the mole has different colours in it so is referring me. I have an appointment on Wednesday but this is just for the photograph thing (sorry for the non-technical wording!).
The concern for me is when I looked through old photographs, it definitely ws not there in 2019, but it definitely was there in 2021, although it was a little smaller. However, pictures are not necessarily the best as the only one I could find was from a distance so I had to enlarge the image to see it.
I guess my biggest fear now is that if it is melanoma as suspected, how advanced would it be if I've left it for that many years. I am black, but fair skinned so I know it’s not necessarily as common in my ethnicity. I do have freckles on my face and I also now have a lot of very small freckles on my back and I'm guessing this larger one (around 5mm) may have started as a freckle looking mole. As it is on my back I cannot really see it so well, even with a handheld mirror so am relying on other people or photographs to see it.
I am absolutely terrified that I have allowed this thing to evolve and even though I only first noticed it in 2023, it has been growing over a number of years. I also know that the size on the skin is not indicative of what is happening underneath the skin.
The mole is flat and light and dry dark brown in places.
I guess I'm asking if anyone else has been through a similar situation and if so what was the outcome for you?
update: 5/2/25 - I had my tele-dermatology appointment today. The lady who took the photos was unable to tell me anything as she said she’s not a doctor. She said I should hear back within 2 weeks but I got an email this evening saying I need to go in for an urgent face to face to make a full diagnosis. On the diagnosis section it says ‘not specified’. I am now supper freaked out as I wasn’t expecting to hear anything on the same day. Also as this mole has been on my back since at least 2021, that’s a long time which has me thinking it may have spread and I’m on my way out. I also have a lingering head that just won’t go away but I’m not sure whether the stress and anxiety is the cause or whether it’s a sign that it is in my brain
I don’t really have anyone to speak to about this and I can’t tell my children right now either.
So sorry! Thanks for reading.
NiaM , As an older relation said to me "I'm doing great for someone in my condition"
..... really I'm doing fine, all the fear and worry is gone .Thanks for asking. I'm in my seventies so as I see it, everything is a bonus for me. The drugs wear me down and fatigue me but I'm not working so I can manage that although in truth I'd prefer to be working. I do voluntary work where people do not depend on me If I can't make it in. I didn't mention to you in my first post but MacMillan Support arranged and provided me with 6 sessions of psychotherapy which was a huge support in coming to terms with things after the immunotherapy failure. For now though as I understand it you've and no bad news yet , I'll pray that it stays like that for you. Wishing you and yours all the best
